Masters Road–Belle River Bridge

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Masters Road–Belle River Bridge
Masters Road-Belle River Bridge.jpg
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LocationMasters Rd. over Belle R., Riley Township, Michigan
Coordinates 42°56′24″N82°49′50″W / 42.94000°N 82.83056°W / 42.94000; -82.83056 Coordinates: 42°56′24″N82°49′50″W / 42.94000°N 82.83056°W / 42.94000; -82.83056
Arealess than one acre
Built1935 (1935)
Built byJ.H. Baker & Sons
ArchitectSt. Clair Co. Road Commission
Architectural styleSteel I-beam Stringer
MPS Highway Bridges of Michigan MPS
NRHP reference # 99001728 [1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 27, 2000

The Masters Road–Belle River Bridge is a bridge carrying Masters Road over the Belle River in Riley Township, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. [1]

The Belle River is a 73.5-mile-long (118.3 km) river in the U.S. state of Michigan, flowing into the St. Clair River in Marine City at 42°42′25″N82°29′50″W.

Riley Township, St. Clair County, Michigan Civil township in Michigan, United States

Riley Township is a civil township of St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,046 at the 2000 census.

National Register of Historic Places federal list of historic sites in the United States

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. A property listed in the National Register, or located within a National Register Historic District, may qualify for tax incentives derived from the total value of expenses incurred preserving the property.

Contents

History

During the Great Depression, the St. Clair County Road Commission aggressively sought federal funds for road and bridge work, in large part to provide work for local citizens. This bridge was constructed as a result of the Depression-era program. Plans for the bridge were drawn up by the Road Commission, and bids for construction were requested in late 1934. The firm of J.H. Baker & Sons won the contract with a bid of $9391. [2]

Great Depression 20th-century worldwide economic depression

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s, beginning in the United States. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations; in most countries it started in 1929 and lasted until the late-1930s. It was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century. In the 21st century, the Great Depression is commonly used as an example of how intensely the world's economy can decline.

St. Clair County, Michigan County in the United States

St. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan bordering the west bank of the St. Clair River. As of the 2010 census, the population was 163,040. It is the 13th-most populous county in the state. The county seat is Port Huron, located at the north end of the St. Clair River at Lake Huron. The county was created September 10, 1820, and its government was organized in 1821.

Description

The bridge consists of a single 55-foot span, 24 feet wide, made up of five steel stringers covered with a concrete deck. The deck is covered with dirt and gravel. Railings made up of two horizontal pipe rails with vertical steel bars in between run on each side. The railing is supported by concrete railing posts resting on a concrete curb. The posts have faceted corners, stepped tops, and recessed panels, demonstrating a Streamline Moderne influence. The railings and the wing walls below gently curve to meet the river banks. The wing walls are constructed of random-laid stone with concrete coping, and are likely the remnants of an earlier bridge located at this site. [2]

Streamline Moderne late type of the Art Deco architecture and design

Streamline Moderne is an international style of Art Deco architecture and design that emerged in the 1930s. It was inspired by aerodynamic design. Streamline architecture emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements. In industrial design, it was used in railroad locomotives, telephones, toasters, buses, appliances, and other devices to give the impression of sleekness and modernity.

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References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 Charlene K. Roise (January 1998), NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM: Masters Road/Belle River Bridge